Spearheaded by Chen Ruolin, double Olympic champion at the women's 10-meter platform, the world's diving powerhouse China will send five Beijing Olympic gold medallists to compete in the 15th FINA Diving Grand Prix 2009 here from Feb. 13-15.
About 47 divers from Georgia, Malaysia, Russia, Hong Kong of China, Macau of China and host China to show up at the eight-event meet, including men's and women's 3m springboard, synchronized 3m springboard, 10m platform and synchronized platform.
As a 16-year-old, Chen shocked the world by claiming two titles in the women's 10m platform and synchronized at the Beijing Olympic Games last year.
Chen will attend both individual and synchro on her trade-mark platform in Shenzhen, but will be paired with a new partner Kang Lin in the synchro as her Olympic winning partner Wang Xin had an eye operation at the end of 2008.
Lin Yue and Huo Liang, Olympic champions in the men's 10m platform synchronized, as well as the men's 3m springboard synchro winners Qin Kai and Wang Feng are also expected to shine at the first leg of the FINA Grand Prix in 2009.
Zhou Jihong, team manager of China, confirmed that four Olympic champions will not compete in the meet, including four-time Olympic champions Guo Jingjing, her synchro partner Wu Minxia, Wang Xin and men's 3m springboard winner He Chong.
Known as the Diving Diva, Guo is still in her long holidays after the Olympic Games, while Wu and He had to quit the Shenzhen meet due to neck and knee injuries.
Zhou said: "I hope the other Olympic champions can forget their previous success and play their best at the first international event at the beginning of this year."
(Xinhua News Agency Feburary 13, 2009)
